New Mills...0 Prestwich Heys...2 - PLAYING up the slope at New Mills can cause problems, but Heys coped with this well in the first half.

They gradually imposed their dominance in midfield and took the lead in the 20th minute when Orrell kept possession down the left and sent over a perfect cross for Uddin to head in at the far post.

Ten minutes later the lead was doubled as Uddin was brought down in the area and Lyons scored from the penalty spot.

New Mills hit back, but Heys stood firm and took their 2-0 lead into the interval.

In the second half Heys continued to control midfield and Denham was given the freedom to attack down the left. One move in particular saw him cross the ball to Garrick whose overhead shot just cleared the bar.

Love replaced Uddin and before he had time to acclimatise himself to the pace of the game two excellent chances fell to him, neither of which were converted due in no small part to the alertness of the New Mills goalkeeper.

Karl Kavanagh kept his rehabilitation on course when he came on for Denham and Leonard replaced Lyons.

The return of Kavanagh after a long absence due to injury is a big bonus for Heys at this stage of the season and he almost crowned his return with a goal when a long distance shot hit the underside of the bar before rebounding to safety.

The win helped Heys into sixth place in the table and puts them back on course for a serious championship challenge.

PRESTWICH HEYS: Rooney, Norton, Brierley, Walters, Massey, J Kavanagh, Denham, Lyons, Uddin, Orrell, Garrick. Substitutes: K Kavanagh, Love, Leonard.

Tomorrow Heys entertain Wilmslow Albion in the league (kick-off 2.30pm).

The reserves went down 3-1 to New Mills last Saturday with Damien Heveran scoring their goal. They have no game tomorrow.